New Stages Theatre Presents 3rd Annual Brand New Stages Festival Starting Feb. 24

New Stages presents its 3rd annual Brand New Stages festival, bringing new Canadian works to the stage with 7 plays in 6 days and over 40 artists featured at 2 venues from Feb. 24 to Mar. 1.

All photos courtesy of new stages.

From gripping dramas to absurd comedies and family-focused fare, there is something for everyone at the Brand New Stage Festival. New Stages promises a community of local and national theatre artists gathering to develop new work for the stag.

The festival includes 3 main stage shows at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre and 4 events at The Theatre on King (TTOK).

The Cull

A staged reading by Michele Riml and Michael St. John Smith

Feb. 26, 7 p.m. at Market Hall

A group of old friends gather to celebrate a 25th wedding anniversary in the B.C. mountains, where wildfires burn, secrets spill out and a wolf cull is underway. First produced by Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre, The Cull is a timely modern drama in an exciting new stage of development.

Directed by Peter Pasyk (Hamlet at the Stratford Festival, Old Times with Soulpepper), The Cull is a powerful new drama with a powerhouse cast, featuring some of Canada’s top talent on stage and screen today: Michael Riley, Tina Jung, Sergio Di Zio, Jenny Young, Matthew Edison and Sarah Wilson. 14+ (strong language)

Munsch Goes Wild

Stories by Robert Munsch, adapted and performed by M. John Kennedy. Directed by Dahlia Katz

Mar. 1, 10:30 a.m. at Market Hall

A fun one for the family! Join M. John Kennedy on a Sunday morning for an all-new, high-octane theatrical storytelling event for the young (and young at heart)! Featuring four of Robert Munsch’s most beloved tales, told in the most creative and energetic ways. If you saw Fireside Munsch in 2025, these are all-new stories being told. Every seat is just $12.50 all-in, incl. venue fees. 4+ (silly language)

12 Dinners

A staged reading by Steve Ross, directed by Randy Read

Mar. 1, 7 p.m. at Market Hall

An acclaimed semi-autobiographical play about a series of dinners that Steve shared with his parents during a particularly eventful time in their lives. Directed by founding Artistic Director Randy Read, 12 Dinners showcases Steve Ross’ meteoric emergence as an exciting Canadian playwright. Previously produced at Stratford’s Here for Now Festival and in Barrie with Talk is Free Theatre, 12 Dinners is catching the eye of theatres across the country. The reading features the original cast from the Stratford production: Jane Spidell, Geoffrey Pounsett, and Ben Skipper. 12+ (mature themes)

An Evening of One Acts (staged readings)

Feb. 24, 7 p.m.

I Started Collecting Teacups After My Grandma Died

By Ryan Pepper

An interprovincial love affair told through poetic dialogue, friendly banter, and the occasional croaking of frogs. Starring Colin Doyle and Andy Trithardt, directed by Mark Wallace. 14+ (strong language)

Are We Sleeping?

Written and directed by Esther Vincent

Florence, a renowned botanist no longer remembers her life’s work or recognizes her own children. Starring Dianne Latchford, Megan Murphy and Mark Wallace. 14+ (mature themes incl. dementia).

Story Slam 2026

Feb. 25, 8 p.m.

Story Slam 2026 hosted by Megan Murphy. The theme is “Well, that was unexpected.” Experience an evening of communal storytelling. Bring a true story to share (5 minutes max) or sit back and enjoy. All are welcome to participate.

Kennel

By Katherine Cullen

Feb. 27, 7 p.m.

An absurdly comic staged reading, directed by Mark Wallace. A kitten, a doggie and a guinea pig take the stage, but this play for young audiences goes way off the rails in its search for an ending. Definitely not for young audiences! Starring Hilary Wear, Stew Granger, Amy Keating, Annie Lujn and Jeff Yung. 14+ (strong language)

Picture Day

By Madeleine Brown

Feb. 28, 7 p.m.

It’s picture day at an elementary school, but when the school photographer doesn’t show up, a principal’s lie cascades into a series of disasters, as this brand new farce reaches hilarious heights. Starring Marc Rico Ludwig, Mark Rostrup, Dreda Blow, Linda Kash, Megan Walsh and Oaklen Conroy. 14+ (strong language)

Visit the website for festival info and to buy tickets, or visit the Market Hall and TTOK websites.

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New Stages Theatre Presents Women of the Fur Trade

New Stages Theatre presents a staged reading of Frances Koncan’s Women of the Fur Trade, coming to Market Hall Jan. 24.

photo courtesy of new stages.

Set in “18 hundred and something-something,” the story revolves around the lives of three women, Ojibwe, Métis and British, all of whom speak in a 21st-century slang.

The playwright, Frances Koncan, found that historical accounts of the fur trade were written by men and decides to feature the perspective of “unheard voices”; three women during the time of the fur trade and the Red River Resistance.

Directed by Patti Shaughnessy, Women of the Fur Trade’s cast includes Michelle Bardach (seen recently in Rez Gas in Port Hope), Sera-Lys McArthur and Megan Murphy, featuring Mac Fyfe as Thomas Scott and Chris Mejaki as Louis Riel. The play is stage managed by Sarah Lazzarino.

The 7 p.m. show runs for approximately two hours and is suitable for ages 14 plus.

Tickets can be purchased online, or by calling the Market Hall box office. If preferred seats are not available, call the box office and join the waiting list, as some new seats may become available in the days leading up to the show.

Tickets are $30 plus a $4 venue fee, available on a sliding-scale of ticketing options.

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New Stages Theatre Announces Eight Contemporary Professional Shows for the 2023-2024 Season

New Stages Theatre has announced the launch of their largest season to date, including a staged reading series, cabaret tribute to founding Artistic Director Randy Read, a week-long festival of new work and a holiday production in December at Market Hall.

photo courtesy of new stages theatre.

The full season line-up includes: 

October: THIS IS HOW WE GOT HERE by Keith Barker

A staged reading at Market Hall. A beautiful drama by Métis playwright Keith Barker about two families in north Ontario grieving a tragic loss, when they are surprised by a mysterious visitor.

November: LET’S GET RANDY

An outrageously fun cabaret tribute to Randy Read’s 25 years as the founding Artistic Director of New Stages. With all-star performers gathering from near and far to sing and sling stories, get ready to get randy!

December: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY adapted by Joe Landry.

A holiday production with a unique twist on the beloved classic, our play is set in a 1940s radio studio, with 5 actors playing all the roles and creating all the sound effects in front of you, the live studio audience. It’s going to be a wonderful night at the theatre!

February to March: BRAND NEW STAGES

From Feb 27 to March 3, enjoy a week-long festival of exciting new work, including:

LOOKING FOR LEAR by Dreda Blow and Brad Brackenridge. Presenting a family-friendly workshop production by Nervous System at Market Hall.

LIFE WITHOUT by Steve Ross. A staged reading of this riveting family drama at Market Hall.

TUSSAUD/ANTOINETTE. Written and directed by Jody Christopherson. Presenting a staged reading at The Theatre on King. 

May: LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE by Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally) and Delia Ephron

A staged reading at Market Hall, directed by Linda Kash. An intimate collection of stories told by women about pivotal moments in their lives and how they were shaped by the clothes that they wore.

June: YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang.

A staged reading at Market Hall. A satirical play about the once-common practice of casting White actors to play Asian roles on stage and screen. At once wickedly funny & vital viewing.

For subscription package and ticket details, visit the website.

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New Stages Theatre Presents ‘Sweat’ by Lynn Nottage

New Stages Theatre concludes its 25th season with a one-night-only staged reading of ‘Sweat’ starring Christopher Allen, Andrew Chown, Beau Dixon, Kait Dueck, René Escobar Jr., Catherine Fitch, Tony Munch & Ordena Stephens-Thompson June 11 at Market Hall.

photo courtesy of new stages theatre.

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, SWEAT is set in a small Pennsylvania city, proudly built on its manufacturing industries – a city not unlike Peterborough. SWEAT is the story of factory workers, of friends and family members, who find their fortune and dreams on the brink of collapse. Shifting between 2000 and 2008 financial crisis, racial and class tensions shatter the surface when desperation rises and people feel their backs against the wall. SWEAT is a devastating powder-keg of a play, and a must-see for Peterborough audiences.  

This play has an award-winning cast – Christopher Allen and Ordena Stephens-Thompson starred in the Toronto production of Sweat, and René Escobar Jr starred in the Hamilton Ontario production. They are joined by Catherine Fitch and Tony Munch, along with Andrew Chown and hometown heroes, Beau Dixon and ReFrame Film Festival Director, Kait Dueck.

Artistic Director Mark Wallace will be announcing the amazing plays lined up for the 2023-2024 season. Come and SWEAT with New Stages on Sunday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $22, and $11 for students, under-waged and artworkers available on the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte Street) website.

Content Advisory: this play contains themes of racism and uses words that are offensive and demeaning, including the n-word. Recommended audience: 14+

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New Stages Theatre Presents Staged Reading of ‘New Magic Valley Fun Town’ at Market Hall

New Stages Theatre is presenting a staged reading of ‘New Magic Valley Fun Town’ by Daniel MacIvor for one night only at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre March 26.

photo courtesy of new stages theatre.

MacIvor is one of Canada’s greatest playwrights and winner of the Siminovitch Prize.

Set in a trailer on Cape Breton Island, old friends reunite after 30 years apart for a night of drinks, laughter and memories, but some of those memories aren’t easily washed away. MacIvor’s bittersweet comedy tackles sensitive topics that many Canadians will be familiar with, yet he handles them with such compassion and humour that you are left feeling shaken but somehow lighter and more hopeful by the end. The play premiered in 2019 to great acclaim.

“I wish only that both the audiences who have followed MacIvor and those who have never heard of him to see this play and marvel at a voice maturing into a new form of greatness,” said J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail Theatre Critic.

New Stages is welcoming an all-star cast to town for this staged reading. Dora-winning actor, Maritimer Shawn Wright, who joins us on his day off from playing Voldemort in the spectacular Mirvish production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Local legend Beau Dixon returns to Peterborough’s stages after years of performing onstage in Toronto, Stratford and on hit TV productions like Station Eleven and The Expanse. Linda Kash is well-known to Peterborough audiences and Peyton LeBarr, who has been a performer for over 20 years working across Canada and the UK, and she now calls Peterborough home.

Tickets for this one-night-only event at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St.) are $22 ($11 for students, under-waged and artworkers) and are available online. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

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"Sondheim, A Celebration" To Honour Late Musical Theatre Figure Stephen Sondheim

On the one-year anniversary of his death, join New Stages in celebrating Stephen Sondheim’s life, music and influence on the industry with “Sondheim, A Celebration” at Market Hall on Nov. 25.

Photo courtesy of New Stages.

Sondheim’s list of prolific and iconic work goes on, from Into the Woods to A Little Night Music, or Sweeney Todd to Sunday in the Park with George. These works all feature Sondheim’s works and show his profound influence on musical theatre and music composition.

Written and narrated by Beth McMaster, “Sondheim, A Celebration” is a one-night performance of storytelling and song that is set to take the audience on a journey through their own memories.

The show will feature a cast of local performers such as Kate Suhr, Shannon McCracken, Linda Kash and Geoff Bemrose.

Founder Randy Read and assistant director of News Stages Mark Wallace will also take the stage, along with Peterborough’s Indigo Chesser, the 11-year-old who starred in 4th Line Theatre’s production of The Great Shadow this past summer. 

Henry Firmston from Chicago’s Stratford Festival stage, along with acclaimed musical director Benjamin Kersey will also be taking the stage. Kersey made his Mirvish debut this summer with the award-winning production of & Juliet.  

Tickets are $35 for regular or cabaret seats, and can be purchased at https://www.markethall.org.

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